Estate agents & letting agents directory

Estate agents can have a significant impact on the success of a property transaction, so when you're buying or selling a home, how do you choose an agent who's right for you?

Our Estate Agent Guide aims to make that decision easier by giving you the advice you'll need to make an informed choice.

It covers what you should expect from an estate agent, their fees, the property valuation process, the industry's regulatory bodies, and the questions you should ask before you commit.

• Choosing An Estate Agent
• Estate Agent Fees
• Estate Agent Valuations
• Estate Agent Negotiation
• The Conveyancing Process
• Home Information Packs (HIPs)

Rental demand has soared in recent times and so too have the number of letting agents and 'accidental' landlords.

Read our Letting Agent Guide for advice on finding a reputable agent, what to look for when you view a rented property, the ins and outs of the Tenant Deposit Scheme and how to find a flatmate.

• Choosing a Letting Agent
• Tenant Deposit Schemes
• Letting a Property
• Private Rented Sector Regulations
• EPCs Mandatory For Rentals
• Rental Price Index
• Renting with Pets
• Viewing Rental Properties
• Rent To Buy

Estate agents do not have to have qualifications and they are not currently closely regulated. However, many are registered with professional bodies, which means they have to abide by a code of practice.

The following list represents the main professional affiliations:

• National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
• Association of Residental Letting Agents (ARLA)
• National Approved Lettings Scheme (NALS)
• The Property Ombudsman (TPO)
• Surveyors Ombudsman Service (SOS)